Field length
• ICD-9-CM: Three to five characters
• ICD-10-CM: Three to seven characters
Code composition
• ICD-9-CM: Approximately 14,000 codes
• ICD-10-CM: Approximately 69,000 codes
Available space for new codes
• ICD-9-CM: Limited
• ICD-10-CM: Flexible
Overall code detail
• ICD-9-CM: Limited detail in many conditions
• ICD-10-CM: Generally more specific
Laterality
• ICD-9-CM: Does not identify right versus left
• ICD-10-CM: Often identifies right versus left
Sample code
• ICD-9-CM: 81315, open fracture of head of radius
• ICD-10-CM: S52122C, displaced fracture of head of left radius, initial encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB or IIIC
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